CVS Health announces increased access to naloxone

CVS Health reported this week that it has increased access to naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversal medication, to include five new states — Alabama, Alaska, Illinois, Missouri and West Virginia.

"Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdose and by expanding availability of this medication, we can save lives and give more people a chance to get the help they need for recovery," CVS Pharmacy VP of Pharmacy Professional Practices Tom Davis said. "By establishing a physician-authorized standing order that allows our pharmacies to dispense naloxone to patients without an individual prescription, we strengthen our commitment to helping the communities we serve begin to address the challenges of prescription drug abuse."

The move to expand the access of naloxone will allow CVS Pharmacy patients to purchase the product without the need of an individual prescription.

"Expanding access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone is a critical part of our national strategy to stop the prescription drug and heroin overdose epidemic — along with effective prevention, treatment, and enforcement," National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli said. "Thanks to efforts on naloxone like those announced today by CVS Health, more Americans will have access to this lifesaving drug."